NASHUA, N.H. – As Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., endures harsh criticism from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is taking a markedly different approach in contrasting himself with the Florida senator.
In the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary, Christie has sought to paint Rubio as an inexperienced one-term senator closely managed by a team of advisers. Calling him “the boy in the bubble,” the New Jersey governor has ramped up his attacks against Rubio, portraying him as scripted and lacking the resume to confront Hillary Clinton. Following Christie’s face-off with Rubio during Saturday’s GOP debate, the packed Republican field is finding ways to capitalize off the fall-out.
Kasich said he feels the value of debates are often overestimated but added, “Since I had a good debate, I hope this is where we were overestimated.”
Yet Kasich continues to avoid hitting Rubio in the manner that Christie has. Rather than attacking Rubio directly, Kasich says he is taking a more positive approach. He has called for each of the campaigns to pull down negative advertisements in the final 48-hours of the campaign and tell voters what they support.
“If I am attacked, I am not going to sit there and take a beating,” Kasich told reporters. “Our campaign has been fundamentally positive and I think it’s working.”
Kasich refuses to say being a freshman senator disqualifies anyone from being president. His emphasis is on accomplishments. When asked to contrast his record with Rubio’s, the Ohio governor pointed to his record as a legislator and governor. He went on to highlight his work on welfare reform, balancing the federal budget, and his efforts to turn Ohio around, implying that those seeking the presidency should have a record of accomplishments regardless of the prior offices they have held.
During a Nashua town hall, one participant called him “a moderate’s dream,” but asked how he reconciles his desire to bring politicians together with his pro-life views. Kasich said he refused to run away from his pro-life record and that he did support exceptions for rape, incest or life of the mother. He further stressed the need for robust funding for women’s health clinics and equal pay.
With nearly one-third of Granite State voters expressing they are undecided, Kasich is hedging his bets on a strong ground operation. He is counting on his hundreds of volunteers on the ground and numerous phone bankers to give him an edge in Tuesday’s primary.
Kasich has held over 100 town halls in New Hampshire and says he is excited to soon be joined by his wife on the campaign trail.
